Written by

The city has approved alcohol sales at certain events at the fairgrounds, but sales at the fair are specifically excluded. The fair board is trying to change that. / News-Leader file photo

More

ADVERTISEMENT

Organizers of the Ozark Empire Fair will seek city approval Monday to allow limited alcohol sales at the annual event.

In early 2012, the city approved alcohol sales on the fairgrounds, but specifically excluded the fair.

“We don’t try to put on a party,” General Manager Aaron Owen said. “We’re just trying to provide good services for all our customers.”

The new proposal is to allow sales at the grandstand during grandstand events; restricted, non-public VIP areas; and confined areas for free tasting of small individual samples of product being exhibited at the fairgrounds.

Owen said that strategy is in line with what they’re doing now at events that do allow alcohol sales.

“We just think that’s good business practice,” he said. “The midway and other family-fun areas, we have no desire to sell adult beverages.”

There was discussion in February 2012 about when and where the Agricultural and Mechanical Society of Springfield, Missouri — the official name of the fair board — could sell alcohol. Councilwoman Cindy Rushefsky said that the public did not want alcohol sold at the fair.

Owen said the fair board understands that concern, and the board members don’t anticipate expanding alcohol sales beyond what they’re requesting Monday.

Last year, fair board member Kent Hyde said it was the board’s intention to prove to council that the board could be responsible with limited alcohol sales. Owen said they’ve done that.

According to the new proposal, “Numerous successful and well-attended public events, including Rock’n Ribs and the Mid-America Street Rod Nationals, have been conducted or hosted at the fairgrounds during the first year of the amended lease and there have been no alcohol-related difficulties or legal problems at such events.”

Hyde had previously said the board had no intention of selling alcohol at the fair, and was only seeking sales at other events at the fairgrounds.

“If we’ve not been good stewards,” he said when the last amendment was passed, “you’d probably say so.”

When the board requested an amendment to allow alcohol sales in 2012, it cited financial difficulties. This year, the board again said one of the reasons behind allowing alcohol sales has been to keep the fairgrounds competitive with other entertainment venues.

“The fair board believes this amendment will support increased economic development with the City of Springfield and Greene County, Missouri, support the financial stability of the fairgrounds as an entertainment venue, and support the public mission of the fair board in these endeavors,” the proposal says.

Owen said the fair board, which is a nonprofit organization, does not receive tax funding.